In it Her Majesty emphasised the theme of inspiration, as she reflected on the achievements of Olympic and Paralympic athletes from the UK and across the Commonwealth at the Rio Games last summer.

The Queen, speaking from the Regency Room at Buckingham Palace, said that "having discovered abilities they scarcely knew they had, these athletes are now inspiring others”.

On Christmas morning other members of the Royal family attended the annual church serviceCredit:
Andrew Parsons / i-Images

In the broadcast she also cited the “inspirational work” of the many hundreds of charities which she has been patron, together with the achievements of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award and The Prince's Trust, which this past year have celebrated their sixtieth and fortieth anniversaries respectively.

Her Majesty said: "I often draw strength from meeting ordinary people doing extraordinary things: volunteers, carers, community organisers and good neighbours; unsung heroes whose quiet dedication makes them special. They are an inspiration to those who know them.”

The Queen’s hopeful Christmas message follows Prime Minister Theresa May’s Christmas Eve address in which she urged the country to unite after a year of deep divisions over Brexit.

She said: “As we leave the European Union we must seize an historic opportunity to forge a bold new role for ourselves in the world and to unite our country as we move forward into the future.

“And, with our international partners, we must work together to promote trade, increase prosperity and face the challenges to peace and security around the world.”

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are spending Christmas in BerkshireCredit:
Pete Maclaine / i-Images

The Queen was understood to have been was left "disappointed" with Mrs May after the Prime Minister declined to share plans for Brexit during her first stay at Balmoral in September.

But the PM’s allies emphasised on Friday that Mrs May has the "greatest respect" for the Queen and will share details about her plans for Brexit as soon as they are decided.

For her Christmas message broadcast the Queen, who as usual is spending Christmas Day at Sandringham House, in Norfolk, wore a deep jade, silk cloque dress with deep jade velvet trim to the neck and pockets, designed by Angela Kelly.

She was wearing a pearl and diamond brooch which Her Majesty has worn on a number of occasions. The brooch was previously worn many times by HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

The Queen and Prince Philip delayed their train journey to Sandringham by a day on Wednesday because they both had heavy colds, arriving on Thursday by helicopter instead. Her Majesty did not attend the Christmas day church service because she was still too unwell.

In the pre-recorded message, the National Anthem was played by the Massed Bands of the Foot Guards, directed by Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Roberts, Corps of Army Music, Senior Director of Music, Household Division.

The carol was an excerpt from A Christmas Intrada, called The Wassail, by the American composer Alfred Reed, who died in 2005.